Guitars in the Classroom is blessed to serve as a sanctuary
for memories of loved ones who have gone on, leaving in their wake
a lifetime of love and their passion for music.
Some individuals choose to leave a bequest,
others donate their legacy instruments and supplies for use in our free programs,
and many are remembered by loved ones
with donations in their honor.
Below you will read and learn a bit about these special people
who filled the world with their own, remarkable music.
We thank them, their families and friends
for helping us do our work in schools
in their names and spirits.
for memories of loved ones who have gone on, leaving in their wake
a lifetime of love and their passion for music.
Some individuals choose to leave a bequest,
others donate their legacy instruments and supplies for use in our free programs,
and many are remembered by loved ones
with donations in their honor.
Below you will read and learn a bit about these special people
who filled the world with their own, remarkable music.
We thank them, their families and friends
for helping us do our work in schools
in their names and spirits.
LOVED ONES WHO MOVED ON IN 2022
On April 17, 2022, founding board member, sponsor, and all-around influencer and GITC advocate Rick Turner, a.k.a. Warwick Armstrong Turner, beloved former husband of GITC founder, Jess Baron, and father of GITC volunteer and problem solver, Juniper Elias Turner, left Terra Firma for parts unknown. His impact on this organization he helped establish and nurture for over 2 decades, is immense and immeasurable. He is loved, missed, and we honor his bold, creative spirit and countless contributions to Guitars & Ukes in the Classroom. Read about Rick and his innovative work in lutherie and more, here.
Stephen A. Tedeschi
May 30, 1959- January 6, 2022 Steve was a devoted family man, an animal lover and a self-taught, gifted guitarist who introduced his younger sister Laura to the beauty and power of music and shared this passion with her throughout their lives. He is remembered by his family with great love. 
Christa Beran (1936-2022) loved music. She collected and played multiple instruments including African percussion, many of which have been generously donated to our programs this month by her loving family and her dear friend, Lucinda Rubio-Barrick. Raised and educated in Europe, Christa eventually moved to San Diego where she enjoyed volunteering in several capacities, including with students at the Polinsky Children's Center. A generous soul, she is remembered for her joyful spirit and sense of humor.
GITC volunteer, luthier Robert Hein repaired every broken wooden ukulele in our programs for years. He helped students all over learn to play by restoring donated instruments out of the goodness of his heart. Robert put a great many hours into making these repairs and this work gave him peace and real joy. He will be well remembered and very much missed.
We remember musician and producer Robert Stojak,
beloved by his sister and whole family for the creativity and care he poured into the San Diego community through his musical endeavors and mentorship of youth. 
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Dennis Stanger of Julian, California loved making music and creating an environment of friendship and harmony with his wife, Deb and their circle of friends. The joy he spread, his kindness and humor, continue to warm the hearts of those he left behind. 
A true and loving pillar of his family and community, Frank Joseph Larry, Jr. made a peaceful journey home on January 11 after 65 years of living life to its fullest. You can read more about this wonderful man HERE on our blog page about him. You are also welcome to donate to our work in his name and memory. Frank's music touched thousands of hearts just as his service to our nation steered the course of American lives. Guitars in the Classroom is deeply honored to be part of sharing his legacy. 
"I am truly blessed". Kevin spoke these words in a video he left for his family. He also professed his profound love of God, Family, and Friends, stating he was truly blessed to have all of these things in his life. Kevin Leon Edmonds, 54, of Nixa, MO. passed away Sunday, May 20th, 2018 in Springfield, MO. Kevin loved life and lived every day to the fullest! He never met a stranger and eagerly awaited steel guitar conventions. Some of his most cherished moments included playing with his granddaughter and spending time with family. He absolutely loved playing music with his kids and once even played onstage with Roy Clark at the Grand Ole Opry. Kevin is remembered with love by his family, dear friends and close associates who are donating to our charity in lieu of flowers at the request of his wife Carolyn. We thank these kind folks - the Worthleys, the Schlemeiers and the members of the board of the Missouri Assisted Living Association for their amazing donations that together are supporting GITC to provide free teacher training programs in the state of Missouri!
Dee Hoyt is lovingly remembered by his family, his wide circle of friends and his many associates whose lives he brightened over his decades of service in the music products industry. Dee played professionally since he was a teenager including in local clubs and played for the National Guard as well as for dances. His band, the Tornados, recorded and performed rock and roll in the early 1960s. While playing at night, Dee got a job at Hayes Music as a salesman by day. He found that he really enjoyed selling. He sold to school band directors and later took on piano lines. Dee contributed greatly to the Gibson line when he worked for the Chicago Musical Instrument Company. When the NAMM Oral History program was underway, it was clear what Dee meant to others within the industry when over a dozen friends and coworkers recommended he be interviewed. Dee passed away at the age of 71 in 2015. You can hear this interview with Dee recorded by the NAMM Foundation. https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/dee-hoyt
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We remember with fondness Jim Sullivan, guitarist, guitar enthusiast and collector, for his friendship, authenticity, and foresight to plan ahead for the future of his instruments. We send deep sympathy to his family. Jim donated a large portion of his guitar collection to Guitars in the Classroom. Many of the instruments are heading directly into the hands of high school students in our Continuation high school guitar programs in South Los Angeles. The fanciest instruments will be sold to raise funds for our free programs teaching guitar to students in need. We hope he is enjoying "The Big Jam Session in the Sky" as he liked to call it.
Shane Manzi was a beautiful soul, a musician and composer, a passionate guitarist and guitar educator, and a beloved family member. He has been memorialized and remembered by his large family and circle of friends, and their gifts in his memory are funding free guitars for teens at-promise in our after school guitar clubs, as well as scholarship guitars for teachers in training who request an instrument so they can participate. We thank his sister Teri Cehelsky and father Patrick for choosing GITC to hold this special soul in memory and gratitude.
William Haydon Osborne of Indianapolis, Indiana passed away on November 19, 2021, at the age of 29. He was born on January 24, 1992. He was a beloved husband, son, brother, grandson, nephew, son-in-law, cousin, and friend. He is survived by his wife Megan Patterson, his mother Madeline Hapak, father Thomas M. Osborne, Sr., brothers Thomas Jr. and Charlie Osborne, and sister Mary Charlotte Osborne. His dog, Glenda, was a light in his life. He started to hone his musical talent during high school, teaching himself to play electric and acoustic guitar and writing original music.He formed many bands and had concerts for his adoring fans from school. Haydon passionately pursued music, history, travel, and reading. When Haydon got excited about his interests, he was all in. For example, he woke up at 3 am to sit on the beach in Florida to watch the most recent Space X launch. The Beach Boys and the Beatles were his all-time favorite bands and he recently traveled to London to attend a rare public opening of Abbey Road Studios; Haydon said afterward that this was among his favorite adventures he had ever had. He founded a recording studio called Yandes Sound Studio and spent many happy hours recording, producing and writing his music. Haydon's foundation and moral compass was that of being a selfless and good human being. He was driven, had an intellectually curious mind, and valued being a caring and listening friend. Above all, he loved his family and friends deeply. Heaven has gained a special angel.
Barbara Catalano, center, was a dear friend to GITC, a second grade teacher at Fay Elementary in City Heights, San Diego. Barbara brought the song "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" to our classrooms when she chose to learn it in 2016 to open the hearts of her students to one another. Her kindness and courage live on in our memories and her spirit is felt through music each day.
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If you would like to memorialize a loved one with a tax deductible gift to
Guitars in the Classroom, please CLICK HERE to learn more.
Guitars in the Classroom, please CLICK HERE to learn more.
We also remember this fine musician whose time was cut short
but not before he could rock the world!
Bradley Dean Hamlet
but not before he could rock the world!
Bradley Dean Hamlet
If you would like to memorialize a loved one with a tax deductible gift to
Guitars in the Classroom, please CLICK HERE.
Guitars in the Classroom, please CLICK HERE.